Battle of Haut Fournel

The Battle of Haut Fournel occurred on 6 June 1944 during Operation Overlord in World War II. The US 101st Airborne Division succeeded in securing the strategic hamlet from the Germans, facilitating the US advance.

The hamlet of Haut Fournel housed many of the Germans who attacked Foucarville and other positions along the far north flank of the US Army, so it was an important objective for Sergeant Matthew Baker's squad of the US 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. German halftracks began to pull Flak 88 anti-aircraft guns into town in preparation for its defense, so the Americans split up into two squads, with Baker commanding one, and Joseph Hartsock commanding the other. The two squads pinched the halftrack convoy between them, while Greg Hassay's third patrol secured the other side of the town. The Americans succeeded in taking down one of the Flak 88s, but the other 88 turned tail before the Americans could destroy it. Nevertheless, the Americans succeeded in driving the Germans from the town.